#LawinPH continues to intensify as it moves toward N. Luzon

An image released by PAGASA shows the track Typhoon Lawin is expected to take. (Photo: Dost_pagasa on Facebook)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Typhoon Lawin (international name: Haima) continued to gain strength as it moved toward the general direction of northern Luzon, according to the latest weather bureau advisory late Tuesday evening.

Based on the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) 11 p.m. update, Lawin would intensify further before it would hit Cagayan area early Thursday morning.

It was then expected to cross Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

As of 12 a.m. Wednesday, Lawin's center was 715 km east of Baler, Aurora.

It had maximum sustained winds of up to 195 kph with gustiness of up to 240 kph.